Healthy returns

In 2016, five national government bodies, including the National Tourism Administration (now part of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism), the National Health Commission and the State Administration of Traditional

Chinese Medicine issued guidelines on how health tourism should be promoted.

These guidelines call for health tourism facilities with distinctive elements to be developed by 2020. The government has pledged to support medical, health management and leisure facilities to develop health products. Policies have been put in place to boost investment in infrastructure, promote marketing and create insurance products to develop China's health tourism industry.

The Sanya Traditional Chinese Medicine Retreat Center has been drawing an increasing number of foreign customers over the years. The center offers various TCM and related skin care experiences and has received around 60 tourists from abroad on a daily basis. 

"Our guests come from various parts of the world, including Russia and Kazakhstan," says Tang Yi, a senior therapist with the center, which sits at the foot of a mountain.

"They've come to enjoy the beach, sea and sunshine, while having their health problems treated," says Tang. Acupuncture, TCM massage and fire therapies have become a hit with them, Tang adds.